How deep do our vacations actually go? Are we ever really in touch with the local customs of the regions we visit? Do we talk with local artisans, lighthouse keepers, oyster shuckers, and farmers who live and work there year-round? And what would a more immersive and authentic travel experience even look like, anyway?
In Bob Krist’s Off the Beaten Path, join retired travel photographer Bob Krist on a 28-episode journey stretching across two continents and four countries. Begin your tour in the Portuguese Azores, an archipelago of islands 870 miles west of Lisbon, where you will sample wine and cheese, tour naval museums, and explore stunning luscious landscapes. Then, head southwest to Central Mexico to participate in cowboy pilgrimages, Lent festivals, and monarch butterfly tours. Afterward, experience the great state of Maine beyond Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, traveling up and down coastlines, ferry routes, and highways to get a sense of day-to-day life in one of America’s most beautiful states. And end your whirlwind excursion with Venice during Carnival season, going behind the scenes of one of the most famous Lent celebrations in the world. This series isn’t just about seeing sights; it’s about experiencing them in-depth.
But there’s more. Alhough Bob has arranged the tour schedule, it’s the locals who serve as your eyes and ears on the ground. Chat with winemakers and dairy farmers in the Azores. Sit down with artisans in Central Mexico to see how guitars and sculptures are made. Ditch the lobster roll hunting to get to know the ferry captains and oyster farmers of Maine. And talk to photographers, mask makers, and costume designers about the intricacies of their craft in Venice. Across 28 episodes, the people of the Azores, Mexico, Maine, and Venice will be your best and most knowledgeable guides. It’s through them that you’ll really get to know your destinations—all from the comfort of your home.
